A hypothesis is an educated guess, based on observation. Usually, a hypothesis can be supported or refuted through experimentation or more observation. A hypothesis can be disproven, but not proven to be true.

A scientific theory summarizes a hypothesis or group of hypotheses that have been supported with repeated testing. A theory is valid as long as there is no evidence to dispute it.

A law generalizes a body of observations. At the time it is made, no exceptions have been found to a law. Scientific laws explain things, but they do not describe them.

Evolution is not "just a theory". Any scientific theory must be based on a careful and rational examination of the facts. Creationist look really stupid learning impaired when they use the "just a theory" argument. Newton's theory of "Universal Gravitation", is "just a theory" too but you don't hear Creationist demeaning it by saying "it's just a theory".

Scientist are not afraid of textbooks like those from Apologia, they just think they are full of lies false information. Let's put it this way so hopefully everyone can follow along. If some Christian Publisher choose to publish a science textbook claiming the Earth was flat and that the Sun revolved around the Earth and peddled it to homeschooers wouldn't we all agree that the book was worthless and full of lies?

I have a message for secular homeschoolers. We welcome you into our ranks. We're glad you're here. Nobody is happier than I am that you have decided that the government run school system is broken and you want your kids out of it. But please remember, your freedom to homeschool was earned on the back of fundamentalist Christians.

Homeschooling was not started by Fundamentalist Christians and my freedom to homeschool wasn't earned on your back. Fundamentalist Christians stole co-opted the homeschooling movement in the 80's.

Many people who are just now beginning to homeschool are not aware that the modern homeschool movement began as something of a cultural phenomenon. In the late 1960s, researchers estimate that the number of homeschoolers in the U.S. was between 10,000 and 15,000.2 These early homeschoolers were often considered the rebels. In Home Schooling: From the Extreme to the Mainstream, a paper published by the Fraser Institute, the authors state, "Although the contemporary image of homeschooling parents depicts a homogeneous, deeply religious, socially conservative sub-group of the population, back in the 1960s and 1970s, most homeschooling parents were members of the counter-cultural left, principally advocates of New Age philosophies, hippies, and homesteaders."3

So maybe you should take your own advice honey and remember homeschoolings roots. Modern Day Homeschooling was started by a bunch of SECULAR hippies and homesteaders. Why don't you try showing us a some RESPECT.

Monday, March 22, 2010

I don’t understand the shock that is expressed when homeschoolers teach that God created the earth. It would be one thing if public schools offered a perfectly fair and balanced view of science, but as it is a public school education will teach you that evolution is the only acceptable explanation for our existence. So why is it suddenly outrageous that homeschoolers teach creationism? I recognize that the criticism for all things homeschool won’t go away for a while, if ever, but the continued misrepresentation of the facts and the double standards are completely unacceptable and should disturb even those who don’t homeschool.

I don't think the problem is that parents are teaching their children that God created the earth, the problem is they are teaching it as Science. Creationism/Intelligent Design DOES NOT stand up to the scientific method, and has no place in a science classroom. Although IF Fundamentalist want to teach it to their kids I support their right to do so.

I don't support Fundamentalist acting like they are the only homeschoolers. There are plenty of homeschoolers that TEACH EVOLUTION! My ire is raised when Elijah Friedeman and others lump all homeschoolers together as anti-science buffons.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

I highly recommend The Starbuck Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell if you are looking for historical fiction on The War Between the States aka The Civil War. He treats both sides fairly and does a wonderful job explaining the motivations that lead to the war. The only problem with the chronicles is HE HASN'T FINISHED THEM.

Jackson was assigned to portray the seventh Station of the Cross, where Jesus fell for a second time while carrying the cross to the site of his crucifixion. The home-schooled fifth-grader, who is taking a class on religious symbols in art at a Catholic church, decided to do a modern depiction of Christ being beaten by a Roman soldier.

Welcome Goddesses of Spring

Hail, and welcome! Green life returns to the earth blooming and blossoming once more from the soil. We welcome you,goddesses of spring, Eostre, Persephone, Flora, Cybele, in the trees, in the soil, in the flowers, in the rains, and we are grateful for your presence.

Prayer to the Winter Goddess

O! Mighty goddess, in silvery ice,watching over us as we sleep,a layer of shining white,covering the earth each night,frost on the world and in the soul,we thank you for visiting us.Because of you, we seek warmthin the comfort of our homes and hearths.

Follow by Email

About Alasandra

Former Homeschool MomEldest son has a Masters in Computer ScienceYoungest son has a B.A. Degree in History with a minor in Political Science